2021/22 James Rodriguez

[Cels]

As I said earlier, Everton have regularly used players they have been actively trying to sell.

Tosun, Delph, Gomes etc

There is no way on Earth we shouldn't use James in some capacity in the squad when he is fit.

This idea we can just think we're set because we've won two league games is mad.

I don't really get the relevance of your reply, mate.

1: I never mentioned not using the player because we tried to sell him.

2: The players you mention were not (as far as I know) disliked in the way Benitez appears to dislike James.

3: Never said we shouldn't use James. I indicated that there might be friction if Moshiri insists he should be given some minutes due to him (supposedly) being paid a high salary.

4: Also didn't say I thought we were 'set' after winning two league games either.

Fachts!

​

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

If , and it's a bit if, he's fit and motivated to play I could see him play at home against teams that sit deep ( Burnley , Watford etc) and have a packed defence by playing just off DCL with pace either side of him in Gray and Richarlison and Doucoure and Allan behind him.
It is inconceivable that you could play him , with our personnel, in a team that either needs to press or requires him to have any form of defensive responsibility.
In any other type of game he should be an impact sub.

Great to mention Burnley and Watford but what about the likes of Liverpool and Man U, for example.

This report is interesting in reflection and considering some of the posts going up in here. Rested against City for the Liverpool game which he provided the assist to the winner but against City as per the report the gaps that we had as a result of benching him were clear.

James Rodriguez decision shows Everton have new summer transfer priority

Everton verdict - Phil Kirkbride addresses the need for an extra creative player at Goodison Park next season

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Maybe Gray is that younger, pacy option that we lacked.

 

[BlueToff]

We should have scored at least 10-15 more goals from the chances he created, most from him taking up the spaces between the lines, on the half turn or switching play quickly.

Nobody else in the squad brings what he can.

He's different gravy and we can absolutley use that skill in most games.

But people conveniently choose to ignore it mate. Selective amnesia and also the club-friendly media (and I count reporters I respect greatly in this) doing the dirty work in the last few weeks.

james hasn’t helped himself with some comments, it has to be said

 

[BlueToff]

I don't really get the relevance of your reply, mate.

1: I never mentioned not using the player because we tried to sell him.

2: The players you mention were not (as far as I know) disliked in the way Benitez appears to dislike James.

3: Never said we shouldn't use James. I indicated that there might be friction if Moshiri insists he should be given some minutes due to him (supposedly) being paid a high salary.

4: Also didn't say I thought we were 'set' after winning two league games either.

Fachts!

​

It was more a general
Comment, not having a dig at you.

the manager should use him, in some capacity, because he’s a very good player

 

[jazzy]

Great to mention Burnley and Watford but what Liverpool and Man U, for example.

This report is interesting in reflection and considering some of the posts going up in here. Rested for the Liverpool game which he provided the assist to the winner but rested against City as per the report and the gaps that we had as a result of benching him.

James Rodriguez decision shows Everton have new summer transfer priority

Everton verdict - Phil Kirkbride addresses the need for an extra creative player at Goodison Park next season

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Maybe Gray is that younger, pacy option that we lacked.

The point that I was trying to make is that whatever view one has about Benitez he has fit , motivated and organised a team that is playing with pace and desire ( at present ). Introducing an incredibly talented player like James , who won't run and isn't disciplined is difficult likely to upset the balance of the team.
So , I can only see him I the first XI in those games where we need something a bit different and where those qualities of organisation, motivation and discipline aren't as important. The point you name about the pass against the RS is a good one. I suppose its a question of balance.
How would I feel if I was say Doucoure physically putting it all on the line to see James not bothering to track runs etc. Dunno?

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

19 clubs have improved and spent more than us. Including the 10 that already finished ahead of us under the one and only Carlo Ancelotti last year. By many many millions.

But he got powerhouses gray and townsend in for free.

Over to you Ben, start challenging.

But if we are being honest about the situation we have started as we played for large parts of last year. Maybe those other team's purchases are no better or worse than our first team? That said we were top this time last year as opposed to being on the same points as the second-placed team.

 

[BlueToff]

It's mad that we managed to get him. He is truly world-class.

There’s plenty of issues I have with the deal. And like I said yesterday if we had managed to get the Diaz swap done it might have been for the best.

but we didn’t, so he’s here, and I’m fed up of this revisionism because Gray and Townsend and Iwobi have had some half decent games

can he do what those players do? No he can’t. But they can’t do what he can - in fact nobody in our squad can. Even our set-pieces this season have been atrocious.

So now he’s here, he’s an option and a very good one. If Benitez chooses to ostracise him he’s an idiot

 

[BlueToff]

And conversely, JR says that he is willing to do the job that the manager requires both in training and match, and he accepts that he is considered on an equal footing with everyone else in the squad and does not receive any special treatment?

I said that - he has to get himself fit and motivated

 

[Cels]

It was more a general
Comment, not having a dig at you.

the manager should use him, in some capacity, because he’s a very good player

​

No problem mate. I thought you were twisting my post to have a go at me

I agree with you that Benitez should use James in some way. Even if the player doesn't fit into what the manager is looking for in general, James still has an abundance of talent that any manager should be able to utilise at some point during games. Plus, to my mind, the best way to deal with James would be to tell him to put the performances in on the pitch and it'll be easier for him to get his move and also probably get his place back in the Colombian National team.

​

 

[Egil Olsen]

I said that - he has to get himself fit and motivated

OK. But who is best suited to judge it?

 

[Bkk Andy]

T

Think hes slightly better than a useful plan B. People have short memories

They certainly do. Many have forgotten how teams targeted our right-hand side knowing that there was nothing in midfield and a fullback way past his best. If he wants to play he needs to fit into plan A or else he's strictly a plan B.

 

[NathDogg]

But people conveniently choose to ignore it mate. Selective amnesia and also the club-friendly media (and I count reporters I respect greatly in this) doing the dirty work in the last few weeks.

james hasn’t helped himself with some comments, it has to be said

The club PR spin against him was/has been incredible, and I am interested to see how they play that now it seems he's staying.

James hasn't helped, I agree, but then I can't really blame him for some of the crap.

The stuff in the press and from Benitez about James was frosty at best, so I can only imagine what was said behind closed, doors to his face.

 

[dan7787]

T
They certainly do. Many have forgotten how teams targeted our right-hand side knowing that there was nothing in midfield and a fullback way past his best. If he wants to play he needs to fit into plan A or else he's strictly a plan B.

Don't play him on the wing then, put him in the middle behind DCL.

Sick of all the negativity on here against him. He did work hard for the team last season, yes he might not have the legs for a full 90, but with grey, townsend and iwob we don't need him to last the full game.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I would say with 0 injuries we could achieve 7th but soon as they pile up and the likes of Gomes, Kenny and Delph/Davies are back in the side its 8th-12th.

Next season is the acid test should the manager actually be backed next summer.

1 injury does not mean that all 4 of those players are in the team together. Davies/Gomes are probably 5/6 choice so probably 3 of Allan, Doucoure, Gbamin and Delph would need to be injured before either of them play. Kenny is probably 4th choice for RB after Holgate and Godfrey. For these players to get on the pitch from the start we need to have a large amount of injuries at the same time, and over a lengthy period for it to make a significant difference. If we just got average injuries that the average club gets, we'll be up there competing. We're consistently in the bottom 2/3 for injuries. We just need a change of luck.

By the way, we can still challenge for top 6 and conceivably finish 8th. There are a lot of decent teams this season. In addition to the supposed big 6 you have us, Leicester, West Ham, Villa and maybe even Leeds. If you're still in with a chance of top 6 going into the last game of the season that's classed as challenging isn't it, even if we finish 8/9th.?

 

[BlueToff]

OK. But who is best suited to judge it?

The manager. But the manager has to do that with every player. And there’s no way James shouldn’t be on the bench if we’re naming two GKs. That’d just be stupid